1 Corinthians 10:11-13 - Be careful that you don't fall

10:11

The events of the Old Testament were not anachronisms that we can now ignore, saying things are different now. As Paul says, “they were written down as warnings for us”. We should heed the warnings. And see how Paul refers to the Corinthians, and us, “on whom the culmination of the ages has come”. The Old Testament was, in a sense, all preparation. God’s plans are coming to fruition and completion in us. 

10:12,13

Therefore there are no grounds for complacency, as Paul says, “if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”. “No temptation has overtaken you ..” Saying this after 10:12 seems a little odd, for 10:12 warns against complacency, where 10:13 seems to warn against defeatism. Maybe Paul is warning against the attitude of I have been forgiven, therefore it doesn’t matter if I sin? We can easily have an attitude that it is all hopeless, so there is no point resisting temptation. Paul assures us that actually we can win against temptation. Paul gives two grounds for not giving in. One is that God will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. The other is that God will always provide a way out.